During the mid- to late-twentieth century, study of the physiology of the developing fetus and newborn infant evolved rapidly to become a major discipline in the biomedical sciences. Initially of interest from a standpoint of function of the placenta and oxygenation of the fetus, the field advanced to explore both normal functional mechanisms as well... more...

The Developing Human Brain: Growth and Epidemiologic Neuropathology presents the analyses that study the conditions and events of pregnancy, labor, and delivery as they relate to neuropathological outcomes. This book reviews the weaknesses and strengths of epidemiologic methods applied to autopsy populations and provide the details of the neuropathologic... more...

The first edition of Embryos, Genes and Birth Defects , edited by the late Peter Thorogood, was a radical new book aimed at bridging the gap between the medical disciplines of embryology and dysmorphology, and recent advances in cellular, molecular and developmental biology. This new edition remains unique in its breadth and brings up to date our... more...

Awarded the iParenting Media Award for Excellent Product of 2008!
Experience the miracle of life-with your own eyes
Congratulations, parents-to-be! You're about to embark on a momentous journey. Even more exciting, you're the first generation of parents who-thanks to 3D and conventional ultrasound-can actually ?see? your child before he... more...

In most respects, Abigail and Brittany Hensel are normal American twins. Born and raised in a small town, they enjoy a close relationship, though each has her own tastes and personality. But the Hensels also share a body. Their two heads sit side-by-side on a single torso, with two arms and two legs. They have not only survived, but have developed... more...

Congenital malformations are worldwide occurrences striking in every condition of society. This work focuses on the relation of these malformations to deficiency of a particular dietary ingredient, folic acid. more...

Neural tube defects are the second most common cause of perinatal death from birth defects in the United Kingdom. In this important book, leading scientists evaluate the latest evidence on the causative factors--both genetic and environmental--of these major human congenital malformations. They also discuss prospects for early detection by prenatal... more...

In 1847, during the great age of the freak show, the British periodical Punch bemoaned the public's "prevailing taste for deformity." This vividly detailed work argues that far from being purely exploitative, displays of anomalous bodies served a deeper social purpose as they generated popular and scientific debates over the meanings attached to bodily... more...

Serious congenital malformations are a major contributor to the infant death rate worldwide. Their nonhereditary causes are multiple and complex, and include infectious and metabolic dangers, disease medication, nutritional inadequacy, medicinal products, environmental agents and pollutants, among them. The cause of many however is still unknown. The... more...